Demian (photo) has a great run at welterweight. Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC
Contrary to what many imagined, the next fight Demian Maia It won't be for the welterweight title. With a duel scheduled against Jorge masvidal at UFC 211, on May 13th, in Dallas (USA), the Brazilian will have to beat one more opponent to continue his journey towards the belt. However, Maia highlighted that he has already been through this situation on other occasions, and so he is not convinced that he will receive the opportunity even in the case of victory.
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“I don't know (if the UFC doesn't want me to be the champion), but sometimes it's very strange. I remember that when I faced Gunnar Nelson I was watching the fight between Robbie Lawler e Carlos Condit and I was already thinking about being next. Everyone was talking about it, but they put me up against Matt Brown, and after that win I thought: 'Next time', and then came Condit, who I beat with a good performance, and then no again. So I don't know, and with the recent changes in the company's management it's difficult to understand”, declared the Brazilian, in an interview with the program 'The MMA Hour' (USA).
In November 2016, in an exclusive interview with Super Fights, Demian had declared that he trusted the word of Dana White, president of the UFC, who guaranteed him as the division's next challenger. Now, although he maintains his speech, he emphasizes that his biggest concern is the confrontation against Masvidal.
“Nobody told me that it’s 100% (definitely fighting for the belt), but it’s pretty clear. I don't know who they could put (in front of me). It's clear to everyone that I will be the next challenger, but I just want to focus on the next fight. (…) I can’t think ahead, but rather the next fight. I can't consider this fight as training for the next fight. I'll face a guy who knocked out the Donald Cerrone and that he is very tough and has good boxing skills. It’s not easy to face a guy like him,” she concluded.
At 39, Demian Maia comes on an incredible streak of six wins, three of them by submission. His most recent performance was in August 2016, when he needed less than two minutes to land a rear naked choke on Carlos Condit and settle the invoice.
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